NFL's Breakout Players for 2013

OLB Whitney Mercilus (Texans)

J.J. Watt is the headliner but Mercilus is an up-and-coming stud. He had six sacks in a six-week span during his rookie year before tapering off late in the season. His second season will be even bigger with Connor Barwin now in Philadelphia and his snaps likely to increase. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)

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Ten on the RiseBy Jordan Raanan, XFINITY Sports Usually the rookie class commands all of the offseason attention. They're fresh, new and intriguing. Nobody knows for sure just how their skills are going to translate to the professional game, however. As a result, their immediate impact is somewhat muted. Only one rookie (Bruce Irvin) recorded more than six sacks last season. Five second-year and six third-year players topped six sacks for the first time in their careers. One rookie wideout topped 800 yards receiving. Three second-year wideouts topped 800 yards for the first time in their careers, and a trio of third-year wide receivers eclipsed 1,000 yards for the first time. It's the second and third-year players that often make the biggest jumps. That's evident on this list of projected breakout players in 2013. Six of the 10 players are in their second or third season. The other four I expect to flourish from a change of scenery. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun) Jordan Raanan has covered the NFL since 2005. Follow him on Twitter @JordanRaanan, on Facebook or email him at jraanan@hotmail.com.

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RB David Wilson ...The decision to let Ahmad Bradshaw walk in free agency opened the door for Wilson, who spent much of his rookie season buried on the bench after some early drops and fumbles. The Giants' first-round pick in 2012 will put that behind him and carry the load this season. His combination of breakaway speed and power will provide New York's offense with an entirely new dimension. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

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DE Cam Jordan (S...Jordan had eight sacks for a historically-bad defense last season. This after posting just one his rookie year. While his sack numbers may not increase as a defensive end in a 3-4 system, Jordan will become a dominant all-round player in Rob Ryan's defense. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)

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RB LaMichael Jam...James came on late in his rookie season. All 190 of his rushing yards came after Week 13. With Frank Gore, 30, approaching the twilight of his career and Kendall Hunter rehabbing an Achilles injury, James will flourish. He will provide the home-run hitter San Francisco's offense has lacked. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

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OLB Whitney Merc...J.J. Watt is the headliner but Mercilus is an up-and-coming stud. He had six sacks in a six-week span during his rookie year before tapering off late in the season. His second season will be even bigger with Connor Barwin now in Philadelphia and his snaps likely to increase. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)

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TE James Casey (...Casey was someone Chip Kelly targeted in free agency. He was the Eagles' first—and for a while, only—offensive free agent acquisition. The former Texans tight end/fullback will be on the field more than ever as Kelly runs two and even three-tight-end sets in Philadelphia. Casey's production will follow. He may come close to doubling his 66 career receptions this season alone. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

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DE Marcell Dareu...Dareus had 11 sacks in his first two seasons as a 4-3 defensive tackle. He should do even more damage with more space as a 3-4 defensive end in Buffalo's new scheme. I see big things from Dareus this season as he blossoms into a dominant NFL player. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert)

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TE Jared Cook (R...Cook's breakout season has been four years in the making. No longer restricted by Tennessee's quarterbacks, Cook will thrive as Sam Bradford's primary target in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Gary Wiepert)

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WR Michael Floyd...The Cards have a competent quarterback this season in Carson Palmer. They have Larry Fitzgerald on one side. Floyd is expected to be on the other side after running with the first-team offense in OTAs. That's an ideal situation for a talented second-year player to flourish. Expect a big year from the former Notre Dame star, and at least six TD receptions. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

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QB Matt Flynn (R...It didn't work out for Flynn in Seattle. Much of that had to do with an arm injury and Russell Wilson. It may just work out for him in Oakland, where he gets to work with Darren McFadden and an underrated group of wide receivers. New offensive coordinator Greg Olson is a good fit for Flynn (West Coast Offense) and calls for quick precision passing to allow the playmakers to do their work. It will lead to a breakout season for Flynn. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

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TE Delani Walker...The Swiss Army Knife finally gets his chance to be a starter. Walker thrives with more opportunity in Tennessee and the uber-talented Vernon Davis no longer ahead of him on the depth chart. He'll help the Titans two-fold, with his run-after-the-catch ability in the passing game and his blocking in the running game. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

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